Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant stands during a time out against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City during a game on January 26, 2014. Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna in Calabasas, Calif., on January 26, 2020. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
At the age of 17, Bryant was selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA draft. He was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Vlade Divac. File Photo by Steve Grayson/UPI | License Photo
Bryant played 20 years in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers and averaged 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists throughout his career. File Photo by James Nielsen/UPI | License Photo
Bryant presented a Lakers Jersey to President George W. Bush after winning the 2001 NBA championship. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo
Bryant won three consecutive NBA championships with the Lakers in 2000, 2001, 2002 and back to back championships with the team in 2009 and 2010. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo
Throughout his career, Bryant appeared in seven NBA Finals and was named Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010. File Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI | License Photo
In 2008, Bryant was part of the U.S. Men's Olympic Basketball "Redeem Team" that won the gold medal at the Beijing Summer Olympics. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
Bryant won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA basketball in 2008 and 2012. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo
On April 13, 2016, Bryant played his final NBA game, scoring 60 points as the Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 101 to 96. File Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI | License Photo
In 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers retired the jersey numbers 8 and 24 in honor of Bryant. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Bryant won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film for "'Dear Basketball," which he wrote and narrated. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Bryant married Vanessa Laine Bryant in 2001. The couple had four daughters together, age 17, 13, 3 and 7 months. Gianna (R) died with her father in the helicopter crash. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Bryant draws a foul by Denver Nuggets Corey Brewer in the NBA Western Conference playoffs in Denver on May 10, 2012. File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI | License Photo
Bryant is introduced before his last professional game on April 13, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. File Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI | License Photo
Bryant, with his wife, Vanessa, holds up his Oscar for Best Documentary Short as they arrive for the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 4, 2018. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Fans celebrate Bryant's final game at the Staples Center. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Flowers lie outside the entrance of the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, Calif., which Bryant started for youth basketball. He was on his way there with his daughter when their helicopter crashed. Photo by John McCoy/UPI | License Photo
